'It is so terrifying watching your little one struggle to breathe!' Mum opens up about baby daughter's health scare

A mum has opened up about a 'terrifying' health scare, after her daughter struggled to breathe because of croup.

Zoe Hendrix, a star from the Australian show Married at First Sight, took to Instagram to share the scary ordeal.

Alongside a picture of her and her poorly child Harper, she wrote: 'Croup is an ASSHOLE! Has anyone had it return shortly after finishing a set of prescribed medication? (steroids I believe) It is so bloody terrifying watching your little one struggle to breath.

'The barking raspy cough and high fever has made for a horrible night. We took turns holding her upright on our chests to sleep.'

The mum then turned to other parents for help, asking if anyone knew of natural remedies that could help her little girl, as the medication the doctor prescribed wasn't working.

'I'm open to trying natural remedy solutions that have worked for other parents (like the popular hot steam treatment) which is already on my list to try. Il also be taking her back to GP later today. #croup #bringbackourhappybaby @alex_garner_ 🙏🏽😩', she finished her post.

Many parents took to the comments section to try to offer help and share what has worked for their own children when they suffered from croup.

One user from Sweden said: 'Cold fresh air and sitting upright was the only thing that worked for both myself and my son. Of course we’ve got plenty of cold fresh air here.... 🇸🇪 crying makes it worse but it’s difficult to calm a child who has difficulties breathing. Hope you find something that works for you'.

Others just sympathised with the difficult situation and sent their well-wishes: 'Awww 😔 poor little bubba. Hope she feels better soon'.

Zoe later took to social media again to give fans an update on how her little one is doing, revealing that she has recovered with a picture of one-year-old Harper smiling.

She wrote in the caption: 'Guess who has kicked Croups ass and is now back to having fun! (aka pulling mums hair & obsessively tipping over the dogs water bowl) 👶🏽🌹💪🏽 #HarperRose @alex_garner_'.

Croup is a condition that mainly affects children aged between six months and young children up to three-years old and it's more common during late autumn and early winter months.

According to the NHS, the main symptom is a barking and hacking cough, coupled with a harsh, painful-sounding noise when breathing in.

In the UK, parents were warned by health authorities back in October about a rise in cases of croup, and told to listen out for a nasty 'barking' cough.